The Spirit’s Mighty Power Can Break Barriers

The descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts saw the Spirit working wonders for the first time among large numbers of believers. God’s ministry on earth has turned a new page.

The Prophet Joel prophesied that in the day of the Lord, God will pour out His Spirit on all people, meaning that God will not only pour out His Spirit on Israelites, His chosen people, but also on His children across the world. The last days began at the moment when the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost. More wonders and miracles mentioned by the Prophet Joel are expected towards the end of the last days until the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth in glory.

Use of the Spirit’s great power is to bear testimony to gospel work. On the Day of Pentecost, the most stunning thing was that people from every nation who were in Jerusalem for the festival heard their own language spoken by the disciples declaring the wonders of God, which was the gospel accomplished by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The occasion was overwhelming for them! Nothing like that has ever happened since the creation of the world. Everybody was amazed at the wondrous works of God.

The significance of the Spirit’s work at that time lies in breaking the barriers imposed by different languages. After the Flood, people built the Tower of Babel to make a name for themselves. God therefore confused their tongues. Since then, people were separated by language barriers, and different peoples also developed different cultures in the world. Conflicts and strife often arise among nations and peoples due to cultural differences.

The work of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost foretold God’s removal of barriers among nations and peoples. God wanted the gospel explained in local languages of all peoples so that peoples of all nations can know the gospel, that no one would be denied access to the gospel. We need to remember that those who worship the true God as described in Revelation are from every nation, tribe, people and language. Language is no longer a hindrance. By then, no barriers will exist for chosen people from different nations who worship God. This is a perfect vision revealed to us in Revelation.

Since the Holy Spirit has broken through interpersonal barriers, we need to take action now. We need to follow the guidance and prompting of the Spirit to bring the love of God to communities originally unrelated to us, races we tend to neglect, even those we dislike. Although we are separated from those communities by historical, language and cultural factors, the Spirit will give us strength so we can take the initiative to care for and serve them. The initiative may not come naturally from us but we will be guided by God’s will.

Break down the barrier. Let us start from bowing to the great power of the Holy Spirit.